Sep 6, 2006 3:33 pm US/Central
Former Illinois Gov. Ryan Sentenced To Prison
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan has been sentenced to 78 months, or 6 1/2 years, in prison on charges of corruption when he was secretary of state.
Ryan and co-defendant Larry Warner were convicted of racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, tax fraud and lying to FBI agents.
In addition to the prison sentence, Ryan was ordered to pay $603,048 in restitution.
Ryan was convicted in April of racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, tax fraud and lying to FBI agents. A sentencing hearing for Warner, 67, will be held shortly after Ryan's.
Before being sentenced, Ryan apologized for letting down the residents of Illinois.
"People of this state expected better, and I let them down," Ryan said in a statement delivered to the courtroom.
In preparing to hand down her sentence, U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer also listened to arguments from federal prosecutors and Ryan's defense attorneys.
Among other things, prosecutors presented evidence that as secretary of state and later governor Ryan steered big-money contracts to Warner and other insiders and used taxpayer dollars for political campaign purposes.
Evidence showed that Ryan dismantled the inspector general's department in the secretary of state's office - possibly to cover up evidence tying campaign fundraising to the sale of truck drivers licenses.
The Rev. Scott Willis, whose six children died in a fiery expressway tragedy later linked to the licenses for bribes scandal, had asked to speak at Ryan's sentencing hearing. Judge Pallmeyer denied the request, but did accept a written submission. Scott Willis and his wife, Janet, were present at the hearing.
The prosecution had hoped the Willis deaths would be an aggravating factor in Ryan's sentencing, but Judge Pallmeyer said while the deaths were tragic, they cannot be used to enhance Ryan's sentence for his convictions on racketeering conspiracy and other charges.
Prosecutors also said Ryan should receive the heavy side of eight to 10 years because Scott Fawell, the former governor's campaign manager and chief of staff, is serving 6 1/2 years in prison, and prosecutors have said anything less for Ryan would not be fair. They had asked for eight to 10 years.
But defense attorneys for Ryan had asked for a lighter sentence because of the governor's age and health problems, including Crohn's disease. They also said his work over the years should be considered, and have been arguing for a shorter sentence.
Ryan's attorneys have asked Judge Pallmeyer to consider allowing an appeal bond, under which the former governor could stay out of prison pending an appeal.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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